Evan Silva

Matchups

Matchups: Climb & Ride Hillis

The Vikings' O-Line was painful to watch in the opener. LT Charlie Johnson was predictably one of the culprits after a miserable camp, getting dominated on snap after snap by Shaun Phillips and rookie Corey Liuget. The rest of the front five was pushed back on virtually every play, consistently losing the battle up front while the San Diego back four easily held outside receivers Bernard Berrian and Molasses Michael Jenkins to a combined three catches for 26 yards. Minnesota's offense is easy to defend because there is zero perimeter threat, and the line can't pass protect. Donovan McNabb should top 39 passing yards in most weeks, but jeez, he's nowhere near the fantasy radar. ... The Vikes were forced to keep tight ends in as help blockers, with Kyle Rudolph and Visanthe Shiancoe seeing just one target apiece. It's a nightmare fantasy situation for them.

Vikings OC Bill Musgrave is going to have to do much better than this: His unit only got off 43 Week 1 plays, but Percy Harvin's 27 snaps are a serious problem. Aside from Adrian Peterson, Harvin is Minnesota's lone offensive threat. McNabb can legitimately expect to hover around or even under 100 passing yards if Berrian and Molasses Mike are playing more than the Vikings' best receiver. ... Adrian Peterson hung a 6.14 YPC clip on what will be a solid Chargers run defense last week. He should have his way with the Buccaneers. All Day will square off with a Tampa defense breaking in five new starters in the front seven, including rookies at middle linebacker and right end. There's not a stronger fantasy running back play in the NFL this week.

I devoted a paragraph to the LeGarrette Blount dilemma in last week's Matchups column. The guy doesn't play on passing downs and won't get the ball when the Bucs fall behind. Blount is still a threat for double-digit scores this season, but he's very reliant on his teammates. The good news is that the Bucs should be more competitive against a bad Vikings team that will play without suspended DT Kevin Williams and may also be dealing with a knee injury at middle linebacker after E.J. Henderson came up lame in practice. Consider Blount a better bet for a touchdown in Week 2. ... No player in the league was targeted more than Antonio Gates in the opener, while the Chargers largely ignored Vincent Jackson. Perhaps Norv Turner saw something on tape from the Vikings’ preseason that made him think Minnesota is especially susceptible to tight ends. It could be a bit of good news for Kellen Winslow, who had a solid six catches on eight Week 1 targets.

Mike Williams South finished Week 1 with 50 yards on four catches as a five-yard touchdown saved his fantasy day. I don't think he'll repeat last year's top-11 receiver finish, but he's a playmaker with a good Week 2 matchup. Williams will spend most of his time against Vikings outside CBs Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook because Antoine Winfield covers the slot on pass downs. ... Scratch Earnest Graham off your sleepers list, despite his 14-touch opener. He's a plodding third-down back only. ... Arrelious Benn had an ugly Week 1 with two drops and a pass target that resulted in an interception. He played only 57.5% of the snaps. Dezmon Briscoe played 40.9%, indicating a rotation. ... Josh Freeman struggled against a shaky Lions secondary on Opening Day, finishing with a 6.02 YPA, interception, and two fumbles. He was always more QB2 than fantasy starter.

Score Prediction: Bucs 21, Vikings 17

Jacksonville @ NY Jets

The Jets employed a surprisingly pass-happy game plan in Week 1, attacking an injury-ravaged Dallas secondary rather than the front seven. A whopping 34 of New York's offensive plays came out of the shotgun formation. Rex Ryan is a run-first coach, so Mark Sanchez can't count on this strategy becoming an every-week institution. Sanchez also came out of the game with what the Jets initially believed may have been a concussion, and that alone may scare the offensive staff into reverting to the run. ... Coming off a 10-carry opener, Shonn Greene should be a benefactor, but there is also reason to be concerned. The alleged "bell cow" of the Jets' offense won't play when his team falls behind, or when they install game plans as described above. And, truthfully, Greene isn't that good. He's been a very ordinary runner since his breakout in the 2009 playoffs.

Santonio Holmes has another good matchup with a Jaguars defense that let Kenny Britt get off for 136 yards and two TDs in Week 1. It can't hurt that Jacksonville is without starting RCB Derek Cox (ribs), ushering nickel back Drew Coleman onto the first team. Coleman is a former Jet and didn't play well enough for New York to re-sign him in the offseason. The Jets will pick on him in the slot, with Will Middleton manning the outside corner opposite Rashean Mathis. ... Plaxico Burress can't separate anymore, but remains an effective red-zone target, evidenced by last week's 26-yard touchdown. He's an option in TD-heavy leagues. ... Dustin Keller played a promising 55-of-65 offensive snaps (84.6%) in the opener, which is a big step up from last year. Perhaps it was due to the Jets' pass-heavy approach, but it may also be a sign of things to come, because he played well as a receiver and blocker. I'd trot him out as a low-end TE1 this weekend.

Update: Holmes is listed as questionable on the injury report with quadricep and knee ailments. Keep a close eye on Sunday morning reports on his status. Give Burress a bump in your projections if Holmes is declared inactive Sunday. He and Keller could get a few more targets.

You'll want to avoid Jaguars pass catchers across the board in this matchup. Split end Jason Hill has a balky hip, Mike Thomas is likely to see an awful lot of Darrelle Revis, and Marcedes Lewis (calf) is doubtful to play in the game. ... The Jags aren't asking much of Luke McCown. He was purely a game manager in Week 1, throwing 24 passes compared to Jacksonville's 47 rushing attempts. In the Titans-Jaguars play-by-play on NFL.com, 23 of McCown's 24 attempts were rather hilariously characterized as "pass short." This might be the least vertical offense in football. ... Deji Karim received a career-high 17 touches in the opener because the Jags had Maurice Jones-Drew on a snap count. They won't be able to keep MJD limited against opponents tougher than transitioning Tennessee. Be aware that Jones-Drew has a rough matchup against a Jets defense that confined Dallas rushers to a 2.84 YPC average in Week 1. You just don't have to worry about Jones-Drew's ball-carrying volume.

Score Prediction: Jets 20, Jaguars 13

Green Bay @ Carolina

Everyone wants to know about Cam Newton: Is he for real? Looking beyond Newton's monster opener, there's something you need to consider. In 2007, a big-armed, inaccurate passer named Derek Anderson threw for 29 touchdowns, led the Browns to a 10-6 record, and made the Pro Bowl. Anderson's offensive coordinator was Rob Chudzinski. Three years later, "Chud" is the coordinator in Carolina and his prized pupil is a rocket-armed, supposedly erratic quarterback with athleticism of which Anderson can only dream. I personally think Green Bay will steamroll the Panthers, but am confident Newton is capable of top-15 quarterback stats this season. In Week 1, he consistently connected with open receivers against eight-man fronts, and he'll be facing them for the foreseeable future. ... One factor working against Newton and the entire Carolina offense this week is the absence of standout RT Jeff Otah (concussion). His replacement in the starting lineup will be undrafted rookie Byron Bell. Clay Matthews plays over the opposing right tackle.

Ride Steve Smith while he's hot. For most of this game, Smith will square off with Packers RCB Tramon Williams, who was burned for a long touchdown in last Thursday's NFL opener and also missed practice this week with a shoulder injury. ... Newton is more likely to hover around 200 passing yards than last week's 422, leaving scraps for the likes of Brandon LaFell and Legedu Naanee. ... Greg Olsen opened the year with 78 yards on four receptions. He moves all around the formation ala Jimmy Graham, who posted four catches for 56 yards and a TD at Green Bay in Week 1. Olsen also blocks less than Graham. ... Despite DeAngelo Williams' big offseason contract, he is a committee back in Carolina. Williams played 42 Week 1 snaps, finishing with 13 touches. Jonathan Stewart outgained Williams by four yards on four fewer touches and 12 fewer snaps. Mike Goodson cleaned up the rest. This backfield has the look of a fantasy headache.

Update: Tramon Williams' shoulder threatens to keep him out of this game entirely. Williams' absence would make Smith's matchup that much more favorable. Smith is a WR2 this week.

Including the 2010 playoffs and 2011 preseason, Aaron Rodgers is 198-of-279 (71.0%) for 2,434 yards (8.72 YPA), 21 touchdowns, and three interceptions since Week 16 last year. He can't miss. ... James Jones played 20-of-67 snaps (29.8%) last Thursday and is a fantasy non-factor barring injury to Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, or Greg Jennings. ... Randall Cobb had a huge rookie debut with two touchdowns, the first on a 32-yard catch-and-run against Saints coverage-deficient SS Roman Harper in the slot, and the second on a 108-yard kick return. Cobb adds a lot to Green Bay, but doesn't play enough to be fantasy viable. He saw seven snaps (10%), later admitting he blew his route on the initial score. ... Fresh off roasting Saints RCB Patrick Robinson for most of his 7-89-1 line in Week 1, Jennings will likely square off with Panthers CB Chris Gamble for the majority of Sunday. In two career meetings with Gamble, Jennings has 15 catches and two TDs. ... Nelson tied Jennings for the team lead with eight Week 1 targets, recording six grabs for 77 yards and a score. With Jones being weeded out of the offense, Nelson is an every-week WR3.

James Starks is a far better option than Ryan Grant, and the Packers know it. Starks played 45 snaps to Grant's 16 in the opener, also emerging as the heavy favorite for red-zone work. Grant received one snap and touch (first-drive five-yard run) inside the Saints' 20. Starks took the field for eight red-zone snaps, including every down the Packers played inside the 10. There is risk involved, but Starks will be tough to sit in matchups like this, when Green Bay can dominate on the ground. Carolina was touched up for 120 yards and a touchdown by Arizona backs last week. ... Jermichael Finley's Week 1 production underwhelmed (3-53-0), mostly because the Saints double teamed him all game. He'll see less loaded coverage as opponents grow more concerned with Starks and the Jennings-Nelson-Driver three-receiver set. You won't want to sit Finley. Ever. ... Driver is still fairly effective in the slot, but he's been bumped to fourth in line for targets behind Jennings, Finley, and Nelson. Driver finished Week 1 with 41 scoreless yards on four catches.

Score Prediction: Packers 31, Panthers 14

4:05PM ET Game

Dallas @ San Francisco

Tony Romo's late-game bad decision making matters not in fantasy. Romo showered 342 yards and two touchdowns on Darrelle Revis' Jets in Week 1, and he's now averaging 314 yards with a 23:10 TD-to-INT ratio in the last 12 games he's played start to finish. Start 'em against a banged-up San Francisco secondary. ... Dez Bryant is a beastly, top-five NFL wideout kind of talent, and you saw it when he blew through New York's defense on a 42-yard catch-and-run, beat Antonio Cromartie for a three-yard score on a fade, and then out-leaped Revis for a 26-yard gain all in the first quarter. Bryant was plagued by leg cramps the rest of the game, but he'll be sure to hydrate for Week 2. You can't ever sit him. ... Miles Austin's per-game averages across Romo's last 13 starts: Seven catches for 96.5 yards. Austin has 90 or more yards in nine of those games.

Update: Bryant's status for Week 2 is now in doubt due to a thigh injury stemming from his cramping in the opener. Kevin Ogletree would likely draw the start if Bryant can't play. Ogletree is not a fantasy option. Austin and Jason Witten project to see more targets if Bryant sits.

It's hard to find a bad stat on the Cowboys' offense, which is one of the reasons we ranked Romo as a preseason top-six fantasy QB. In his last seven games, Jason Witten is averaging over seven catches for 79 yards, and he has six TDs. ... Felix Jones is an every-down back, evidenced by his 74.3-percent Week 1 snap count. Dallas backs combined for 27 touches in the opener, 20 of them going to Felix. Neither DeMarco Murray nor Tashard Choice touched the ball in the red zone. Jones had three red-zone touches, scoring from a yard out in the fourth quarter.

Frank Gore managed 59 yards on 22 runs against Seattle as San Francisco's O-Line struggled mightily to open holes. I put a stat in the Seahawks-Steelers matchup breakdown (Page One) that should make Gore owners feel at least a little bit better. Simply put, Seattle can stop the run. The Cowboys probably can, too, after holding Jets ball carriers to 2.81 YPC last week, but it will be hard to ever sit Gore when he's the clear focal point of his offense. Coach Jim Harbaugh is going very run heavy, maintaining a 32:20 Opening Day run-to-pass ratio and giving Gore 25 touches to Kendall Hunter's two. Anthony Dixon played only on special teams. Gore's performance wasn't at fault in Week 1; the weak per-play production is on the front five. He's still plenty capable of hitting long runs, appearing as quick, decisive, and smooth as ever on the rare occasions holes were opened. Gore got a one-yard touchdown run "vultured" by Alex Smith at the end of the first half. It would've saved his fantasy day. Gore -- not Dixon or Hunter -- was in the backfield on the play.

In the pass game, Harbaugh is asking Smith to take three-step drops and get rid of the ball quickly, probably due to a lack of trust in Smith and his line's ability to pass protect. Vernon Davis' numbers will rise, because even as bad as Smith is, the 49ers will top 124 passing yards far more often than not. Game flow will require it. Davis still led the team in Week 1 targets, catches, and yards. Owners can hang their hats on that, as well as the fact that Dallas served up six catches, 94 yards, and a TD to Jets tight ends in Week 1. ... Michael Crabtree played 13 snaps versus Seattle, but only one in the second half after his twice-surgically repaired foot flared up again. He's one of the bigger in-game injury risks in the league and off the fantasy radar. ... The cornerback picture is messy in Dallas, but it's hard to justify Josh Morgan or Braylon Edwards as fantasy viable because of Harbaugh's offensive philosophy. Edwards is the slightly better bet of the two.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 23, 49ers 16

Every year, fantasy owners across the nation jump to panicked conclusions based on Week 1 statistics. Don't be like that. Integral to fantasy football excellence is the ability to comprehend why players did or did not fare well, and apply that information going forward. This particular column will cater especially to fantasy leaguers with hanging Week 1 questions. I've watched or re-watched games, charting them play by play where necessary. Vincent Jackson isn't a bum, and Scott Chandler isn't necessarily a stud. Lopsided time of possession and game flow heavily and adversely influenced backfields in New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and New Jersey. Week 1 carry and touch distributions don't always forecast workloads to come.

So take a deep breath. Get a big cup of coffee. Bear with me. We're going to talk about it all.

And if an opposing owner tries to trade you a Colts player while you're mid-column, confidently hit the reject button.

You do not want any of them.

1:00PM ET Games

Seattle @ Pittsburgh

Confirming his quiet preseason was a mirage, Mike Wallace paced Pittsburgh in Week 1 targets (11), catches (8), and yards (107). Wallace is a more complete wideout than given credit; OC Bruce Arians uses him as a true No. 1, sending Wallace all over the formation on a complex route tree. Wallace will give oversized Seahawks RCB Brandon Browner (6'4/221) 60 Minutes of hell with game-breaking quicks and speed. ... Whereas Wallace was an August no-show, Antonio Brown was huge in exhibition games. It didn't translate to the first real one, with Brown managing just 14 yards on nine targets in an incredibly inefficient performance. Games like this get young players benched by coaching staffs. ... Emmanuel Sanders finished Week 1 with two catches for 20 yards on three targets, including an 11-yard score. He remains the superior long-term bet.

Ben Roethlisberger produced a five-turnover Week 1 clunker, getting bludgeoned by the Ravens' pass rush behind one of the NFL's worst O-Lines. Big Ben will fare better against defenses that struggle to hurry the passer. Seattle qualifies after failing to register an Opening Day sack against a 49ers team that allowed 13 in preseason. The Seahawks' secondary personnel is also putrid. Roethlisberger has a 13:2 TD-to-INT ratio in his last six home games, with two rushing scores. ... Including the playoffs, Hines Ward is averaging 43 yards in his last seven games. Heath Miller is at 38 yards, and will keep blocking with RT Willie Colon (triceps) on I.R. ... Rashard Mendenhall is a better bet to score this week than last, but don't take Seattle's run defense lightly. They're healthy with run-plugging LE Red Bryant and MLB David Hawthorne back from knee injuries, and held Frank Gore to 59 Week 1 yards on 22 carries (2.68 YPC). Over the past two years, Seattle allows 2.87 yards a carry to opposing first-team tailbacks when Bryant starts and finishes games.

You were probably dealt negative points if you started Pittsburgh's fantasy defense in Week 1, but they're back in business this Sunday. The Seahawks field the worst collection of skill players and offensive linemen in football. Seattle yielded five sacks to an unimposing 49ers defense last week, opening up just enough holes for Seahawks ball carriers to average 2.91 yards a rushing attempt. I bet you can't name a worse starting running back in the league than Marshawn Lynch. Against San Francisco, Tarvaris Jackson completed just one of his 37 passes for a gain longer than 13 yards, went 5-for-15 on third-down conversions, and was still checking down to running backs late in the fourth quarter with Seattle trying to come back. (I think they were trying to come back.) There isn't a single Seahawk worth using in fantasy football leagues, this week or beyond.

Score Prediction: Steelers 31, Seahawks 10

Cleveland @ Indianapolis

The Colts' backfield isn't a committee, at least not yet. Delone Carter finished Week 1 with seven carries to Joseph Addai's eight, but Addai played the vast majority of first-half snaps and got the game's first five touches. Carter didn't see significant action until Indy was down 34-0. Neither back will do much damage in an offense that can't move the ball behind a line that opens no holes, but Addai remains the clear lead back. Addai also outperformed Carter in terms of yards per carry (4.88 to 3.57). I've seen enough of Carter at Syracuse, in preseason, and now Week 1 to conclude that I'm not a fan. Carter is a zero in the pass game, lacks elusiveness as a runner, and will struggle for quality snaps without an Addai injury. Addai is the better player. ... Perhaps Dallas Clark will turn it around against the Browns, but he blocked on more snaps than he ran pass routes last week. That's highly concerning considering the Colts were in comeback mode early.

The Browns will apparently not let Joe Haden shadow Reggie Wayne in Week 2, which is a blow to Cleveland's chances. With no running threat at all and Clark getting manhandled as a blocker (two 1-on-1 sacks allowed to Mario Williams last week), Wayne is Indianapolis' one and only offensive threat. Defensive coordinators will recognize this on game film and move quickly to erase Wayne from the offense. Playing from behind may save his stats some weeks, but Wayne is an ideal sell-high candidate after his 7-106-1 Week 1 line. Keep in mind that Wayne was stuck on two targets (both caught for 24 yards) until late in the first half, at which point Indy was already down 27-zip. The Colts proceeded to throw on 25 of their final 34 offensive snaps. ... Instead of Wayne, Haden will go to waste shutting down Colts RWR Pierre Garcon in this one. Haden didn't allow a single catch to A.J. Green last week, other than on a Bruce Gradkowski quick snap that caught Cleveland still in its defensive huddle. Green didn't have a defender on him. ... The outlook is even gloomier for Austin Collie. He's been weeded out of the offense in favor of a blocker.

The Colts' run defense is what the doctor ordered after Peyton Hillis' slow opener. Texans reserve backs gashed Indy for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries (4.51 YPC) last week, and the Colts will play this game without MLB Gary Brackett (shoulder). WLB Kavell Conner is also battling a left foot sprain. Word out of Houston is that the Colts' front four was so discombobulated that D-Linemen were literally drawing up plays in the dirt. On both offense and defense, the Colts are going nowhere quick. ... The early real-game returns on Colt McCoy's big preseason aren't promising. McCoy looked uncomfortable in the pocket throughout Week 1, managing a 47.5% completion rate and 5.32 YPA against a Bengals pass defense that isn't as good as Indianapolis'. It is particularly worrisome that the Browns will trot out Oniel Cousins at right tackle. Cousins is a sack waiting to happen in "protection," and will be no match for LE Robert Mathis.

The Browns' pass-catching corps is a carbon copy of the 2010 Rams; a six-way rotation made up of Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Evan Moore, Ben Watson, Jordan Norwood, and Greg Little, with Hillis also in the mix for catches. Coach Pat Shurmur was the offensive coordinator in St. Louis last year, and there wasn't a single dynamic fantasy receiver or tight end on the Rams. In Week 1, no Browns pass catcher topped four targets during a game that saw McCoy throw 40 times. One of the above will inevitably lead Cleveland in receiving in a given week, but it's going to be awfully difficult to predict, and to acquire fantasy value they'll certainly need more efficient quarterback play.

Score Prediction: Browns 17, Colts 13

Kansas City @ Detroit

If the Chiefs' Week 1 game plan was any indication, the coaching staff has no faith in Matt Cassel. (For good reason.) Despite facing a Bills defense that can't rush the passer, K.C. employed an exceptionally conservative two- and three-step passing game, discarding any hint of downfield aggressiveness. Cassel was bad enough to keep the staff's confidence low, averaging 2.8 yards per pass play, with 6-of-22 completions going for negative yards and 14 for fewer than six. Cassel notched his first career reception when one of his throws was batted back to him, catching it for a loss of four. In a home game against the Bills. It was mentioned in Week 1 Matchups, and Russ Lande of Sporting News agrees: "Losing coach (Charlie) Weis will turn out to be K.C.'s biggest loss of the year." Cassel's stats since it was announced last winter that Weis wouldn't return: 48.3% completions, 3.49 YPA, 1:6 TD-to-INT ratio. ... Thomas Jones got two carries last week. It may be unfair to write him off because the Chiefs trailed all game and Jones doesn't play in passing situations, but his tank was already on E. Drop Jones and don't look back.

Owners may have been a bit disappointed in Jamaal Charles' Week 1 production (12.5 standard-league fantasy points, 17.5 in PPR), but there were positives. After starting all four preseason games, Charles again drew the start and is officially the first-team tailback. No other K.C. runner touched the ball until the second quarter -- when the Chiefs were already down 14-0 -- and after his second-quarter fumble Charles went right back in to score a touchdown on the ensuing series. It may pain Todd Haley to admit, but force feeding Charles is the only way his offense can move the ball. Don't forget that Haley has a history of using Charles as a feature back -- with success. During the 2009 stretch run, Charles averaged 27 touches for 185 yards in Weeks 14-17, scoring four TDs. He's a plug-and-play RB1 at Detroit. ... Dwayne Bowe's stats may be down across the board this year, and he's coming off an awful game that included one ugly drop and two catches on seven targets. He's still an every-week WR3, at least. You can't sit him against the Lions.

The Lions allowed the fewest sacks in the league (3) this preseason, which I initially chalked up as a worthless stat. When the Detroit O-Line didn't surrender a single quarterback hit to the Bucs in Week 1, I looked into it more seriously. As much as we'd love explanations for Matthew Stafford's injury history (and everything else), protection really isn't his problem. Football Outsiders ranked the Detroit offensive line as the NFL's fourth-best pass protecting unit last season. Pro Football Focus had the Lions a more realistic, if still passable 14th. It's more confirmation that all Stafford needs is better luck. Based on his routinely dominant on-field performances (e.g. 305 yards, 73% completions, three touchdowns in Week 1), Stafford is the complete package when healthy. He'll now square off with a Chiefs defense that allowed four Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown passes in the opener, in the process losing star safety Eric Berry to a season-ending torn ACL.

There's a lot not to like about Jahvid Best's inside running ability, and what Detroit's O-Line does well in pass pro doesn't carry over into the ground game. But you can't argue with Best's PPR value. His 25 Week 1 touches tied for third in the league, and Best is a dangerous weapon when the Lions get him in space. The TD total may not be high, but Best's total yardage should be. This week, Berry's absence is just as much a plus for Detroit's ground game as it is for Stafford. Berry was a monster in run support. ... Calvin Johnson's missed practice time due to a rolled ankle isn't a Week 2 concern. He was in on the Lions' final possession last week, after the tweak occurred. ... Best (5), Brandon Pettigrew (6), and Nate Burleson (5) all finished with similar Opening Day target counts, while Tony Scheffler caught a touchdown pass in the red zone. It's going to cause headaches trying to guess whether Pettigrew or Burleson will have a big game in a certain week, and they could just as easily both be quiet. You should be able to find better fantasy starters.

Score Prediction: Lions 27, Chiefs 17

Baltimore @ Tennessee

The Titans' Week 1 box score is skewed by the fact that they only possessed the ball for 20:22, getting off 25 fewer plays than the opposing Jaguars. It speaks to Kenny Britt's playmaking ability that he still exploded for 136 yards and two TDs, racing through the Jacksonville defense on his initial 80-yard score and out-efforting top CB Rashean Mathis for the second. Britt's talent is on par with any receiver's in football, and his chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck has room to grow. Britt is a WR1. He's a must-start against Baltimore's inexperienced corner duo. ... Each week, I create our Sunday schedule to ensure all 16 games are covered by a writer. I assigned myself Titans-Jags in Week 1 because I wanted to observe a Tennessee offense very high on potential but extremely high on offseason turnover. It wasn't good. The Titans return all five O-Line starters, so I anticipated that unit to be the one thing Tennessee could count on. Turns out, the line was to blame for the offensive woes. I'm not recommending to sit Chris Johnson, but can assure you he'll struggle for holes if the front five plays like last week. Non-Johnson owners need to immediately target CJ2K for a buy low if the Ravens shut him down. He gets the Broncos and Browns next.

Ravens-Titans has Week 2's lowest over-under with 38 projected points. It's going to be hard to justify starting Tennessee skill players other than Britt and Johnson. ... Hasselbeck was overwhelmed by the Jags' pass rush last week, so it's scary to think how poorly he'll fare against Baltimore's. He's a very low-end QB2. ... Nate Washington posted a respectable 67 yards on six receptions against Jacksonville, but he's a deep threat in an offense that doesn't figure to have time to go long. It's not a good situation. ... According to Pro Football Focus, Jared Cook played a promising 43-of-53 snaps (81.1%) in Week 1. That's the good news. The bad news is Cook was targeted just twice on 34 Hasselbeck attempts and blocked poorly. He's fantasy backup for now.

Ray Rice lit up Pittsburgh for 149 total yards and two touchdowns on Opening Day, needing only 23 touches and 57.6% of Baltimore's offensive snaps to do it. He'll be a top-five fantasy play for the foreseeable future. ... Lee Evans was a fantasy non-factor in Week 1, but he's already making life exponentially easier on Anquan Boldin. An every-week WR2 again, Boldin caught four balls for 71 yards and a score against Pittsburgh, and had another 27-yard TD overturned when he got a bit too handsy with Steelers RCB Ike Taylor. Boldin can expect to see quite a bit of Titans RCB and slot cornerback Cortland Finnegan this week. ... Evans' late-preseason ankle injury has lingered to the point where he's not a fantasy option until he shows in a game that he can be productive and healthy. After a catchless opener, fantasy owners shouldn't find it hard to sit him.

I want to see a more wide-open Ravens offense before declaring this Joe Flacco's breakout year, but he got off to a nice start with three touchdowns and 224 yards on 29 attempts (7.72 YPA) in last week's drubbing of Pittsburgh. Flacco took one sack in 30 drop-backs, and might have the best protection of his career with an in-shape Bryant McKinnie at left tackle, and Michael Oher back on his natural right side. There's no reason to think the Titans' defense presents a tough matchup. ... The Ravens won't have the pass attempts volume the Patriots offer, but Baltimore is using Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta pretty similarly to Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. At least in Week 1, however, there was a sizable gap between the two. Pitta got only 22 snaps and two targets. Dickson played 64-of-66 snaps with five targets, all caught for 59 yards. Dickson has a big leg up, though that could change during games in which the Ravens have more passing downs. They routed Pittsburgh last week, scoring a first-drive touchdown and never looking back.

Score Prediction: Ravens 27, Titans 14

Chicago @ New Orleans

Mark Ingram needs the Saints' defense to play better to realize his fantasy potential. New Orleans got down early to Green Bay last week, and Ingram only saw 18 snaps because he doesn't play on passing downs. Darren Sproles led the backfield with 30 plays. The good news for Ingram is that his team will have the lead more often than not over the course of the season. Expect big increases in snaps and touches going forward. The Saints are a better team than the Bears and should not play from behind on Sunday. Ingram remains the heavy favorite for goal-line carries. ... Anyone else notice how small Olin Kreutz looked in the NFL opener? Down to 260 pounds -- tops -- Kreutz got pushed around by Green Bay's powerful interior tandem of B.J. Raji and Howard Green. The Saints may continue to struggle against mammoth nose tackles, but the Bears prefer quick, gap-shooters inside. Starters Matt Toeaina and Henry Melton combine to average 37 fewer pounds than Raji and Green. Expect better push for Ingram on short-yardage and goal-line plays.

I saw some Sproles hype after his seven-reception opener, ostensibly from box-score readers (not game watchers). Owners need to understand that game flow dictated Sproles play far more than he normally will. In 78 games with the Chargers, Sproles topped five receptions three times. Sproles was an excellent addition for the Saints and is an upgrade on Reggie Bush, but he won't play and get the ball that much on a regular basis. He's a risky flex in PPR. ... Pierre Thomas remains a candidate for 9-12 touches, but a poor bet to score. ... Jimmy Graham worked as a pass-blocking H-back all too often Thursday because the Saints went to pass-heavy mode after getting down 21-7 in the first quarter. Drew Brees still looks for Graham when he's in trouble, and Chicago's Cover 2 is susceptible to tight ends. Graham's targets will rise with Marques Colston (collarbone) out until Week 6. ... It's a week to wait on Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson. Meachem is the preferred WR3, but deep threats fare poorly against the Bears' scheme. ... Lance Moore (groin) will be too much of an in-game injury risk for confident Week 2 fantasy usage. His groin has been balky since August 25 and incurred a setback a week later. Moore will be a strong bet for consistent snaps and targets once he proves his health, but he's hands-off this Sunday.

The Saints' defense generated no Week 1 pressure, so look for playcaller Gregg Williams to dial up creative blitzes as his Week 2 focus. Chicago's front five is ripe for an attack after serving up five sacks and eight quarterback hurries to an Atlanta team that played from behind all game (reducing pass-rush chances). As well as Jay Cutler performed in the opener, his porous line will haunt him sooner rather than later. The Bears aren't built to withstand an aggressive defense or play without the lead. On both sides of the ball, a better Saints team will get Chicago out of its comfort zone. I wouldn't trust Cutler as more than a QB2. ... Roy Williams (groin) appears headed for a game-time decision in Week 2. Williams is a terrible player and non-factor in fantasy, but keep an eye out if he's declared inactive. Johnny Knox is Williams' backup at the X receiver, and he'll square off with RCB Patrick Robinson if Knox draws the start. Robinson was demolished by Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson last Thursday. Per Pro Football Focus, Robinson allowed all five balls thrown in his direction to be completed for 80 yards and Jennings' seven-yard touchdown.

Matt Forte may hover around 4.0 YPC for most of the year, just because Mike Martz's system is rushing unfriendly. There is no lead blocker, and running lanes are small on the rare occasion the line creates one. But Forte is a candidate to lead the NFL in total yards because of his difference-making versatility. Forte caught all of his five Week 1 targets for 90 yards, knifing through the Atlanta defense for his 56-yard TD on a first-quarter screen. Kahlil Bell got ten carries, though five came in late fourth-quarter garbage time, and none in the red zone. ... Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Thursday's practice after being limited Wednesday, indicating a setback. He shouldn't be any kind of factor, if he's even active Sunday. ... Devin Hester saw 46 Week 1 snaps, finishing with five targets. Earl Bennett had 50 snaps and four targets. These guys cancel each other out.

Score Prediction: Saints 24, Bears 13

Oakland @ Buffalo

Not to take away from Chan Gailey's tried-and-true offensive system, but key to Buffalo's Week 1 scoring bonanza was a Chiefs defense that generated no pressure. Monday night watchers may have noticed ESPN's Trent Dilfer raving about the Oakland front seven last week. It's a legit force. A Raiders defense that quietly ranked second in the NFL in sacks last season hung four of them and a forced fumble on Kyle Orton, also holding Broncos backs to a paltry 25 yards in 12 carries (2.08 YPC). The talent differential between Oakland's trench men and Buffalo's is sizable. I'd have trouble using the Bills-Chiefs Week 1 game as basis to start Buffalo skill players, most notably Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson. ... Blowout wins skew backfield distribution, as teams tend to give weaker players more reps with a comfortable lead. But Jackson started and got 11 first-half touches, compared to C.J. Spiller's four, before the game got out of hand. I'm not bullish on using Jackson against the Raiders, but he's the clear-cut feature back and Spiller is the pace change.

In my game reviews, I entered Bills-Chiefs expecting to find reasons why Scott Chandler was a fluke. Another Frisman Jackson or Dante Rosario -- flash-in-the-pan Week 1 stars of the past. Chandler caught all five of his targets for 63 yards and two touchdowns at Kansas City. Long (6-foot-7), lean, and pretty athletic, Chandler worked often in the slot and was heavily involved in the passing game. Chandler's downside is that he's a rotational player, seeing only 38-of-57 (66.7%) offensive snaps on Opening Day. I still wouldn't be surprised if he scored 5-7 more touchdowns this season. Gailey's Pistol Spread offense floods the field with receivers, and Fitzpatrick gets the ball out quickly. Chandler is a nice post-up target deep in the red zone. Just don't expect much yardage. ... The Bills' one must-start skill player remains Steve Johnson, who's scored 11 TDs in the 15 games since Fitzpatrick became Buffalo's starter. His latest, in Week 1, came on a 27-yard go route with Chiefs top CB Brandon Flowers in coverage. Johnson is a legit playmaker and WR2.

With Jacoby Ford nursing a bum hamstring, Chaz Schilens an unsafe bet to stay healthy for the next hour, Kevin Boss coming off a lost preseason, Louis Murphy out indefinitely, and Darrius Heyward-Bey injuring his own knee in Thursday's practice, Denarius Moore's opportunity may be nigh. The camp sensation is listed directly behind Heyward-Bey on the Raiders' depth chart, so Moore will be in line to start if DHB misses the game. Though obviously a roll of the dice, Moore has superior big-play ability and should be able to get open against the Terrence McGee-less Bills secondary. It'd be a real stretch to start Moore at Buffalo, obviously. Just don't be surprised if this is his breakout game. ... The Raiders figure to employ a run-heavy game plan just as they did in Week 1, limiting Jason Campbell to 13 completions for a measly 103 yards. He's a weak QB2.

The Bills limited Kansas City to 108 yards rushing in Week 1, but Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster's combined 7.0 YPC suggests they remain vulnerable to the run, even post-M.D. (Marcell Dareus). Odds are, Darren McFadden will light them up. ... Michael Bush received nine Week 1 carries, but Hue Jackson is clearly still employing a one-back system. Bush wouldn't have played as much if not for a mid-game McFadden shoulder injury caused by a Broncos defender foolishly ripping his helmet off, before late-game clock-killing mode. Bush is just a handcuff.

Score Prediction: Raiders 21, Bills 17

Arizona @ Washington

The Rex Grossman bandwagon is becoming popular again with three 300-yard games in his last four starts. I've seen too many flops over the years to join in, but wouldn't discourage a desperate Peyton Manning drafter from using Grossman against perhaps the league's worst pass defense. Shredded by Cam Newton for 24-of-37 (64.9%) passing, 422 yards, and two TDs last Sunday, the Arizona secondary is a nightmare with two first-year starting corners and an Adrian Wilson of whom coach Ken Whisenhunt said this week, "it looks like he hasn't played in awhile." Playcaller Kyle Shanahan has let Grossman attempt an average of 40 passes in his four Redskins starts. Rex offers sneaky upside in a plus matchup with what projects as plenty of volume. ... Santana Moss led Washington in Week 1 targets (8), hauling in six for 76 yards. He's an every-week WR3.

Playing time has long been Fred Davis' insurmountable obstacle, but the Shanahans are rolling away the stone. Davis is playing even more snaps than Chris Cooley, and after his 105-yard opener a thrilled Grossman observed that Davis "stretches the field vertically as well as any tight end in the league." Arizona was gashed by tight ends all last year, and promptly coughed up 129 yards on seven catches to Carolina's Greg Olsen-Jeremy Shockey duo in Week 1. Davis is a top-ten option in this matchup. ... Feel free to drop Cooley in all leagues. ... No running back in the NFL had more Opening Day touches than Tim Hightower, who rang up 97 yards and a touchdown on the Giants. Hightower is a true every-down back and borderline RB1 until proven otherwise. ... Jabar Gaffney is purely a possession receiver and Anthony Armstrong is fourth or fifth in line for targets in the Redskins' offense. Don't be hoodwinked by their Week 1 red-zone touchdowns.

Larry Fitzgerald had a quiet 62 yards on three Week 1 catches, walled off by Carolina's bracket coverage with Chris Gamble pressing him at the line. Defenses will think twice about copying the Panthers' approach, because the fallouts were 5.0 yards a carry for Beanie Wells, 105 yards and a touchdown for Early Doucet, and a win for Arizona. Expect Fitz to rebound big against a Skins defense that let Hakeem Nicks get loose for 122 yards on seven receptions on Opening Day. ... Doucet's measly three targets and 37.3 snap percentage against Carolina suggest a notorious Week 1 fantasy tease. Doucet is a nice player, but Fitzgerald will catch more than three passes in the majority of games, and Todd Heap will have more than two targets going forward. Andre Roberts is getting considerably more playing time than Doucet. Look elsewhere for sleepers.

The Redskins have pieces to field a formidable run defense, but Beanie Wells is going to be near-impossible to sit when he's running with as much purpose and burst as he did in Week 1. Healthy after last year's season-long knee injury, Wells is the key to keeping double teams off Fitzgerald. The coaches know it. Wells played 50-of-59 offensive snaps (84.7%) in Week 1, suggesting the staff is pleased with his pass protection and receiving, as well. It's a boon to Wells' value across the board. He set career highs in receptions and snap count in the opener. ... Kevin Kolb threw for 309 yards and two TDs last week, averaging 11.44 yards per attempt with a 66.7 completion rate against a hapless Carolina pass defense. The Redskins' pass rush is much more fierce with an array of ballhawks in the back end, so give Kolb another week before anointing him a QB1.

Score Prediction: Redskins 24, Cardinals 20

Tampa Bay @ Minnesota

The Vikings' O-Line was painful to watch in the opener. LT Charlie Johnson was predictably one of the culprits after a miserable camp, getting dominated on snap after snap by Shaun Phillips and rookie Corey Liuget. The rest of the front five was pushed back on virtually every play, consistently losing the battle up front while the San Diego back four easily held outside receivers Bernard Berrian and Molasses Michael Jenkins to a combined three catches for 26 yards. Minnesota's offense is easy to defend because there is zero perimeter threat, and the line can't pass protect. Donovan McNabb should top 39 passing yards in most weeks, but jeez, he's nowhere near the fantasy radar. ... The Vikes were forced to keep tight ends in as help blockers, with Kyle Rudolph and Visanthe Shiancoe seeing just one target apiece. It's a nightmare fantasy situation for them.

Vikings OC Bill Musgrave is going to have to do much better than this: His unit only got off 43 Week 1 plays, but Percy Harvin's 27 snaps are a serious problem. Aside from Adrian Peterson, Harvin is Minnesota's lone offensive threat. McNabb can legitimately expect to hover around or even under 100 passing yards if Berrian and Molasses Mike are playing more than the Vikings' best receiver. ... Adrian Peterson hung a 6.14 YPC clip on what will be a solid Chargers run defense last week. He should have his way with the Buccaneers. All Day will square off with a Tampa defense breaking in five new starters in the front seven, including rookies at middle linebacker and right end. There's not a stronger fantasy running back play in the NFL this week.

I devoted a paragraph to the LeGarrette Blount dilemma in last week's Matchups column. The guy doesn't play on passing downs and won't get the ball when the Bucs fall behind. Blount is still a threat for double-digit scores this season, but he's very reliant on his teammates. The good news is that the Bucs should be more competitive against a bad Vikings team that will play without suspended DT Kevin Williams and may also be dealing with a knee injury at middle linebacker after E.J. Henderson came up lame in practice. Consider Blount a better bet for a touchdown in Week 2. ... No player in the league was targeted more than Antonio Gates in the opener, while the Chargers largely ignored Vincent Jackson. Perhaps Norv Turner saw something on tape from the Vikings’ preseason that made him think Minnesota is especially susceptible to tight ends. It could be a bit of good news for Kellen Winslow, who had a solid six catches on eight Week 1 targets.

Mike Williams South finished Week 1 with 50 yards on four catches as a five-yard touchdown saved his fantasy day. I don't think he'll repeat last year's top-11 receiver finish, but he's a playmaker with a good Week 2 matchup. Williams will spend most of his time against Vikings outside CBs Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook because Antoine Winfield covers the slot on pass downs. ... Scratch Earnest Graham off your sleepers list, despite his 14-touch opener. He's a plodding third-down back only. ... Arrelious Benn had an ugly Week 1 with two drops and a pass target that resulted in an interception. He played only 57.5% of the snaps. Dezmon Briscoe played 40.9%, indicating a rotation. ... Josh Freeman struggled against a shaky Lions secondary on Opening Day, finishing with a 6.02 YPA, interception, and two fumbles. He was always more QB2 than fantasy starter.

Score Prediction: Bucs 21, Vikings 17

Jacksonville @ NY Jets

The Jets employed a surprisingly pass-happy game plan in Week 1, attacking an injury-ravaged Dallas secondary rather than the front seven. A whopping 34 of New York's offensive plays came out of the shotgun formation. Rex Ryan is a run-first coach, so Mark Sanchez can't count on this strategy becoming an every-week institution. Sanchez also came out of the game with what the Jets initially believed may have been a concussion, and that alone may scare the offensive staff into reverting to the run. ... Coming off a 10-carry opener, Shonn Greene should be a benefactor, but there is also reason to be concerned. The alleged "bell cow" of the Jets' offense won't play when his team falls behind, or when they install game plans as described above. And, truthfully, Greene isn't that good. He's been a very ordinary runner since his breakout in the 2009 playoffs.

Santonio Holmes has another good matchup with a Jaguars defense that let Kenny Britt get off for 136 yards and two TDs in Week 1. It can't hurt that Jacksonville is without starting RCB Derek Cox (ribs), ushering nickel back Drew Coleman onto the first team. Coleman is a former Jet and didn't play well enough for New York to re-sign him in the offseason. The Jets will pick on him in the slot, with Will Middleton manning the outside corner opposite Rashean Mathis. ... Plaxico Burress can't separate anymore, but remains an effective red-zone target, evidenced by last week's 26-yard touchdown. He's an option in TD-heavy leagues. ... Dustin Keller played a promising 55-of-65 offensive snaps (84.6%) in the opener, which is a big step up from last year. Perhaps it was due to the Jets' pass-heavy approach, but it may also be a sign of things to come, because he played well as a receiver and blocker. I'd trot him out as a low-end TE1 this weekend.

Update: Holmes is listed as questionable on the injury report with quadricep and knee ailments. Keep a close eye on Sunday morning reports on his status. Give Burress a bump in your projections if Holmes is declared inactive Sunday. He and Keller could get a few more targets.

You'll want to avoid Jaguars pass catchers across the board in this matchup. Split end Jason Hill has a balky hip, Mike Thomas is likely to see an awful lot of Darrelle Revis, and Marcedes Lewis (calf) is doubtful to play in the game. ... The Jags aren't asking much of Luke McCown. He was purely a game manager in Week 1, throwing 24 passes compared to Jacksonville's 47 rushing attempts. In the Titans-Jaguars play-by-play on NFL.com, 23 of McCown's 24 attempts were rather hilariously characterized as "pass short." This might be the least vertical offense in football. ... Deji Karim received a career-high 17 touches in the opener because the Jags had Maurice Jones-Drew on a snap count. They won't be able to keep MJD limited against opponents tougher than transitioning Tennessee. Be aware that Jones-Drew has a rough matchup against a Jets defense that confined Dallas rushers to a 2.84 YPC average in Week 1. You just don't have to worry about Jones-Drew's ball-carrying volume.

Score Prediction: Jets 20, Jaguars 13

Green Bay @ Carolina

Everyone wants to know about Cam Newton: Is he for real? Looking beyond Newton's monster opener, there's something you need to consider. In 2007, a big-armed, inaccurate passer named Derek Anderson threw for 29 touchdowns, led the Browns to a 10-6 record, and made the Pro Bowl. Anderson's offensive coordinator was Rob Chudzinski. Three years later, "Chud" is the coordinator in Carolina and his prized pupil is a rocket-armed, supposedly erratic quarterback with athleticism of which Anderson can only dream. I personally think Green Bay will steamroll the Panthers, but am confident Newton is capable of top-15 quarterback stats this season. In Week 1, he consistently connected with open receivers against eight-man fronts, and he'll be facing them for the foreseeable future. ... One factor working against Newton and the entire Carolina offense this week is the absence of standout RT Jeff Otah (concussion). His replacement in the starting lineup will be undrafted rookie Byron Bell. Clay Matthews plays over the opposing right tackle.

Ride Steve Smith while he's hot. For most of this game, Smith will square off with Packers RCB Tramon Williams, who was burned for a long touchdown in last Thursday's NFL opener and also missed practice this week with a shoulder injury. ... Newton is more likely to hover around 200 passing yards than last week's 422, leaving scraps for the likes of Brandon LaFell and Legedu Naanee. ... Greg Olsen opened the year with 78 yards on four receptions. He moves all around the formation ala Jimmy Graham, who posted four catches for 56 yards and a TD at Green Bay in Week 1. Olsen also blocks less than Graham. ... Despite DeAngelo Williams' big offseason contract, he is a committee back in Carolina. Williams played 42 Week 1 snaps, finishing with 13 touches. Jonathan Stewart outgained Williams by four yards on four fewer touches and 12 fewer snaps. Mike Goodson cleaned up the rest. This backfield has the look of a fantasy headache.

Update: Tramon Williams' shoulder threatens to keep him out of this game entirely. Williams' absence would make Smith's matchup that much more favorable. Smith is a WR2 this week.

Including the 2010 playoffs and 2011 preseason, Aaron Rodgers is 198-of-279 (71.0%) for 2,434 yards (8.72 YPA), 21 touchdowns, and three interceptions since Week 16 last year. He can't miss. ... James Jones played 20-of-67 snaps (29.8%) last Thursday and is a fantasy non-factor barring injury to Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, or Greg Jennings. ... Randall Cobb had a huge rookie debut with two touchdowns, the first on a 32-yard catch-and-run against Saints coverage-deficient SS Roman Harper in the slot, and the second on a 108-yard kick return. Cobb adds a lot to Green Bay, but doesn't play enough to be fantasy viable. He saw seven snaps (10%), later admitting he blew his route on the initial score. ... Fresh off roasting Saints RCB Patrick Robinson for most of his 7-89-1 line in Week 1, Jennings will likely square off with Panthers CB Chris Gamble for the majority of Sunday. In two career meetings with Gamble, Jennings has 15 catches and two TDs. ... Nelson tied Jennings for the team lead with eight Week 1 targets, recording six grabs for 77 yards and a score. With Jones being weeded out of the offense, Nelson is an every-week WR3.

James Starks is a far better option than Ryan Grant, and the Packers know it. Starks played 45 snaps to Grant's 16 in the opener, also emerging as the heavy favorite for red-zone work. Grant received one snap and touch (first-drive five-yard run) inside the Saints' 20. Starks took the field for eight red-zone snaps, including every down the Packers played inside the 10. There is risk involved, but Starks will be tough to sit in matchups like this, when Green Bay can dominate on the ground. Carolina was touched up for 120 yards and a touchdown by Arizona backs last week. ... Jermichael Finley's Week 1 production underwhelmed (3-53-0), mostly because the Saints double teamed him all game. He'll see less loaded coverage as opponents grow more concerned with Starks and the Jennings-Nelson-Driver three-receiver set. You won't want to sit Finley. Ever. ... Driver is still fairly effective in the slot, but he's been bumped to fourth in line for targets behind Jennings, Finley, and Nelson. Driver finished Week 1 with 41 scoreless yards on four catches.

Score Prediction: Packers 31, Panthers 14

4:05PM ET Game

Dallas @ San Francisco

Tony Romo's late-game bad decision making matters not in fantasy. Romo showered 342 yards and two touchdowns on Darrelle Revis' Jets in Week 1, and he's now averaging 314 yards with a 23:10 TD-to-INT ratio in the last 12 games he's played start to finish. Start 'em against a banged-up San Francisco secondary. ... Dez Bryant is a beastly, top-five NFL wideout kind of talent, and you saw it when he blew through New York's defense on a 42-yard catch-and-run, beat Antonio Cromartie for a three-yard score on a fade, and then out-leaped Revis for a 26-yard gain all in the first quarter. Bryant was plagued by leg cramps the rest of the game, but he'll be sure to hydrate for Week 2. You can't ever sit him. ... Miles Austin's per-game averages across Romo's last 13 starts: Seven catches for 96.5 yards. Austin has 90 or more yards in nine of those games.

Update: Bryant's status for Week 2 is now in doubt due to a thigh injury stemming from his cramping in the opener. Kevin Ogletree would likely draw the start if Bryant can't play. Ogletree is not a fantasy option. Austin and Jason Witten project to see more targets if Bryant sits.

It's hard to find a bad stat on the Cowboys' offense, which is one of the reasons we ranked Romo as a preseason top-six fantasy QB. In his last seven games, Jason Witten is averaging over seven catches for 79 yards, and he has six TDs. ... Felix Jones is an every-down back, evidenced by his 74.3-percent Week 1 snap count. Dallas backs combined for 27 touches in the opener, 20 of them going to Felix. Neither DeMarco Murray nor Tashard Choice touched the ball in the red zone. Jones had three red-zone touches, scoring from a yard out in the fourth quarter.

Frank Gore managed 59 yards on 22 runs against Seattle as San Francisco's O-Line struggled mightily to open holes. I put a stat in the Seahawks-Steelers matchup breakdown (Page One) that should make Gore owners feel at least a little bit better. Simply put, Seattle can stop the run. The Cowboys probably can, too, after holding Jets ball carriers to 2.81 YPC last week, but it will be hard to ever sit Gore when he's the clear focal point of his offense. Coach Jim Harbaugh is going very run heavy, maintaining a 32:20 Opening Day run-to-pass ratio and giving Gore 25 touches to Kendall Hunter's two. Anthony Dixon played only on special teams. Gore's performance wasn't at fault in Week 1; the weak per-play production is on the front five. He's still plenty capable of hitting long runs, appearing as quick, decisive, and smooth as ever on the rare occasions holes were opened. Gore got a one-yard touchdown run "vultured" by Alex Smith at the end of the first half. It would've saved his fantasy day. Gore -- not Dixon or Hunter -- was in the backfield on the play.

In the pass game, Harbaugh is asking Smith to take three-step drops and get rid of the ball quickly, probably due to a lack of trust in Smith and his line's ability to pass protect. Vernon Davis' numbers will rise, because even as bad as Smith is, the 49ers will top 124 passing yards far more often than not. Game flow will require it. Davis still led the team in Week 1 targets, catches, and yards. Owners can hang their hats on that, as well as the fact that Dallas served up six catches, 94 yards, and a TD to Jets tight ends in Week 1. ... Michael Crabtree played 13 snaps versus Seattle, but only one in the second half after his twice-surgically repaired foot flared up again. He's one of the bigger in-game injury risks in the league and off the fantasy radar. ... The cornerback picture is messy in Dallas, but it's hard to justify Josh Morgan or Braylon Edwards as fantasy viable because of Harbaugh's offensive philosophy. Edwards is the slightly better bet of the two.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 23, 49ers 16

4:15PM ET GamesCincinnati @ Denver

Andy Dalton will apparently start despite a sprained throwing wrist. Playing two quarters in Week 1, Dalton didn't complete a pass to A.J. Green, who notched his lone catch on an essentially broken play after Bruce Gradkowski's quick snap caught the Browns' defense off guard. While Champ Bailey's (hamstring) possible absence would improve Green's matchup, you can safely expect the Bengals' offense to be extremely run-heavy in Week 2. It's their M.O. anyhow, and will be even more so with a rookie quarterback who isn't 100 percent. You're banking on a deep ball from a banged-up, weak-armed passer if you're starting Green. ... Coming off a 6-58-1 line on eight targets (six from Dalton), Jermaine Gresham will be a bigger fantasy factor than he was last season. His explosion is back two years removed from a college knee injury, and Gresham is an excellent complement to Dalton's arm over the middle. He should push for top-12 tight end stats.

Cedric Benson ranked second in the league in Week 1 touches (26), trailing only Tim Hightower. The Bengals want to keep it that way. What Benson has lost in short-area burst he can make up in volume, particularly in a favorable matchup. The banged-up Denver front seven was slammed for 191 yards on 30 carries (6.37 YPC) by Oakland backs last Monday night, and is now playing on a short week. You don't have to particularly like Benson to start him in fantasy. ... With Green getting shut down last week, Jerome Simpson saw a team-high nine targets. Expect regression for both Bengals wideouts. Simpson is a far lesser fantasy option than the rookie. ... Slot man Jordan Shipley only played 49% of the Bengals' Week 1 snaps, seeing two targets. Jay Gruden's extremely conservative system has weeded Shipley out of the offense in favor of a run blocker.

The Broncos' backfield should be avoided this week. While Willis McGahee may appear headed for lots of carries because of Knowshon Moreno's bum hamstring, McGahee has done nothing recently to justify fantasy start-ability. McGahee finished last season with a career-low 3.76 yards per carry, including the playoffs, and there is little burst left in his legs after over 1,700 career touches. He had three yards on four Week 1 attempts. The matchup isn't enticing after Cincinnati stumped Browns rushers for 83 scoreless yards on 26 carries (3.19 YPC) last week. I wouldn't be surprised if Lance Ball outplayed McGahee on Sunday. ... Kyle Orton didn't do enough in his first start under John Fox to make anyone think he'll be more than a mid-range to low-end QB2 without Josh McDaniels. Take this to the bank: Tim Tebow will make starts at some point this season.

Even if he plays, Moreno isn't a fantasy option after his third hamstring injury over the past two seasons. ... Denver beat writers consider Brandon Lloyd unlikely to play after pulling his groin in the opener. Fox is reticent about injury situations, so don't expect confirmation from the team until the inactives list is released Sunday afternoon. That makes it tough to count on injured Broncos skill players with healthy options available in early games, and it doesn't help that they're coming off a short week. ... If Lloyd sits, Eric Decker and Eddie Royal will get the starts at receiver. Decker's long-term upside is capped by Fox's offensive philosophy, but he showed better big-play ability than advertised on a third-quarter, 90-yard punt return touchdown in Week 1, and also hauled in three of his five targets for 53 yards. Decker would be a better bet than Royal against Cincinnati.

Score Prediction: Bengals 17, Broncos 13

San Diego @ New England

Vegas has a whopping 53.5-point over-under on Bolts-Pats, the biggest projected total of Week 2 and easily bigger than any Week 1 over-under. This is going to be a shootout, so start your Pats and Chargers. ... Look for San Diego to attack rookie RCB Ras-I Dowling, who got the surprise Week 1 start over Leigh Bodden. Vincent Jackson plays both receiver positions (X, Z) and will draw Dowling plenty. Antonio Gates was a target monster in the opener with 13 balls thrown his way. Malcom Floyd had eight. Jackson only got three balls, but these numbers will draw closer to a mean going forward. With a plus matchup in a high-scoring game, expect a monstrous rebound from V-Jax. ... Gates has at least 108 yards or a touchdown in four career meetings with the Patriots. Not even Bill Belichick has figured out how to stop him. ... With slot receiver Patrick Crayton (ankle) returning and getting Jackson the ball more sure to be a focus of Philip Rivers, Floyd's fantasy appeal will continue to dip. He's a dicey WR3, better used in bye-week crunches.

You can't name four better Week 2 quarterback plays than Rivers against a Patriots defense that Chad Henne just smoked for 416 yards and two touchdowns. ... Mike Tolbert owners should be thrilled with his Week 1 game. The backfield distribution confirmed that he plays on all passing downs and dominates red-zone work for an offense that will consistently move the chains. He's just not nearly as good as his Opening Day fantasy points indicate. Particularly if Tolbert punches in another goal-line carry or two in this game, he'll be an ideal sell high to a running back-needy owner heading to Week 3. ... Ryan Mathews got 36 Week 1 snaps, "good" for a 42.8 percentage. I'd still play him over Tolbert because Mathews has so much more talent as a runner. The Chargers' coaching staff gave Mathews a big vote of confidence this week. His snaps will rise.

Both Patriots tight ends look like plug-and-play TE1s. Aaron Hernandez is slightly more subject to down weeks because he only plays in passing and shotgun formations, but when you combine his game-breaking athleticism and soft hands with a pass-heavy attack and the NFL's most efficient passer, it's all you need. And let's get this straight: Hernandez, coming off a 7-103-1 shredding of Miami, is a wideout. He never blocks. ... Rob Gronkowski is more the manchild of the two. He levels ends and linebackers in the run game, then uses his physicality and deceptive vertical speed to make plays downfield. Gronkowski is just unstoppable. He had six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown against the Fins. ... If you read this column last year, you may recall discussion of Wes Welker's post-Randy Moss production dip. Defenses began double teaming Welker after the Week 5 Moss trade, and he didn't score a touchdown or top 53 yards in the next four games. Then, Gronk Nation and Nando happened. Welker will prey on single coverage in the slot all year long.

San Diego held Donovan McNabb to 39 yards last Sunday, but the Vikings asked for it by using Percy Harvin as a part-timer, leaving McNabb with only the worst outside receiver duo in football to throw to. Tom Brady is a no-brainer top-five QB1. ... It wasn't a great sign for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the Pats' "keep the lead" back, that Danny Woodhead played over him with New England controlling the Monday nighter. Law Firm only played 23-of-80 snaps (28.8%), and Woodhead is being used between the tackles more. Sell BJGE if he scores this week. He's also got Stevan Ridley to worry about. ... It's worth noting the Patriots often divvy up backfield playing time based on week-to-week game plans. Perhaps they identified a heavy Dolphins front line of Paul Soliai, Randy Starks, Kendall Langford as a better fit to run the shiftier Woodhead against. Who knows, really? What we do know is Green-Ellis can hold his own in a non-PPR league with red-zone TDs. Woodhead will probably get 14-17 touches. ... Feel free to drop Chad Ochocinco. He's clearly behind Deion Branch, putting Ocho sixth in line for receiving targets behind Welker, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Branch, and Woodhead. I wouldn't bet on Ochocinco picking it up soon, either.

Score Prediction: Patriots 38, Chargers 35

Houston @ Miami

Jacoby Jones gets the playing-time bump with Kevin Walter (shoulder) out indefinitely, but Owen Daniels is the most fantasy-viable beneficiary. Daniels now has a clear path to possession targets while Andre Johnson burns defenses with the deep stuff. ... We discussed this last week: The Texans' offense is headed for a major drop in pass attempts, because they can impose their will with the run. Arian Foster and Ben Tate are good players, but it barely matters the back. The zone-blocking scheme wears teams out. Matt Schaub is going to need better opposing play to approach top-ten QB stats. Sell now. ... Dolphins CB Nolan Carroll got whipped for six receptions and 103 yards in last week's loss to the Patriots. Carroll often mans the right corner, where Johnson plays in the base offense. That's quite a mismatch, even if they only face off five times on Sunday. ... Jones is worth rostering to see what happens, but don't expect much. There won't be enough volume in the Houston passing offense to support more than two big receiving games.

All signs point to Foster (hamstring) returning this week, and he's a plug-and-play RB1 if all goes well Friday. Coach Gary Kubiak has been clear that Foster will dominate the workload when he's in the game. ... Tate needs another blowout to accrue a worthwhile number of touches. The Texans will take out Foster if they get a big lead, but the Dolphins' offense was competitive enough Monday in New England that you can't count on it. Tate needs to be on fantasy benches. Barring a surprise inactive listing for Foster on Sunday ... Derrick Ward can be dropped. He's injured and not remotely as effective as Foster or Tate.

Update: Kubiak announced Friday that Foster will play against Miami, but Tate will "definitely" see carries, probably off the bench. Your best approach is to continue to monitor the situation into Sunday morning, gathering as much information as possible. A rotation is likely either way. It's still hard to imagine sitting Foster if he's active for the game. Ward has been ruled out.

Pocket poise and downfield accuracy have been Chad Henne's downfalls as a pro. Since an awful preseason opener, he seems to have turned a corner. On paper at least, Henne shredded the Pats' secondary for 416 yards, two touchdowns, and one late, inconsequential interception in the Monday night opener. This is great news for Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, and Reggie Bush. Be wary of trusting Henne as more than a QB2, but early signs are promising. ... Marshall finished Week 1 in a three-way tie for the league lead for targets (13), equaling Antonio Gates and Roddy White. The Texans, like most everyone else, will struggle to stop him. ... Daniel Thomas will supposedly return this week. I don't get how he's a threat to Bush's workload, seeing as Thomas isn't any good and Bush adds a new dimension to the Dolphins' offense. Thomas is an RB4.

Score Prediction: Texans 30, Dolphins 20

Sunday Night Football

Philadelphia @ Atlanta

Eagles-Falcons has Week 2's second highest over-under, behind only Chargers-Pats. The Vegas oddsmakers have a better feel for NFL scoring than most folks reading or writing this column, and their confidence suggests all is not lost for Mike Smith's team after its 30-12 Week 1 drubbing in Chicago. Trot out your studs. ... Before curiously scrapping its no-huddle offense in the second half last week, Atlanta moved the chains better than the box score indicates. The Falcons opened with a 10-play drive, but unlucky turnovers (Charles Tillman strip of Michael Turner, Brian Urlacher fumble recovery of Matt Ryan) got Atlanta out of its comfort zone. The Eagles are no pushover, but Ryan owners need to keep the faith. This will be a high-powered offense when all's said and done, and this projects as a high-scoring game. It makes Ryan tough to sit unless you have a Stafford or Big Ben on the bench. ... Nnamdi Asomugha stayed at RCB for the vast majority of his Week 1 snaps. Julio Jones and Roddy White move around, so you can't say Asomugha will be "on" one of them. White tied for the league lead in Week 1 with 13 targets. Start 'em confidently.

Jones did play more snaps than White at LWR last week, the receiver spot Asomugha covers. I still like Jones as a WR3 in any potential shootout, but use that fact to break ties if you have other great options. ... Turner ran with more short-area burst than anticipated in the opener, busting up the gut for repeated long runs against the Bears. Fantasy owners need to ride Turner while he's hot, and then sell high on the 29 1/2-year-old back. This is a good matchup for Turner. Smallish in the front four with liabilities throughout the linebacker corps, Philadelphia was touched up for 169 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries (6.76 YPC) in Week 1. Eagles WLB Moise Fokou got pancaked by Rams FB Brit Miller on Steven Jackson's 47-yard TD run on first play of the game. Falcons Pro Bowl FB Ovie Mughelli might chuck Fokou into the stands. ... Tony Gonzalez's 5-72 Week 1 line should be taken with a grain of salt. The Bears' Cover 2 kept the Atlanta wideouts in check on deep routes, allowing Gonzalez to "beat them" over the middle. Gonzalez is just a TE2.

I gave you some indoor stats when the Eagles visited the Edward Jones Dome last week. Philly opens the season with two straight games indoors, so here's an update as Andy Reid's team flies south to the Georgia Dome: LeSean McCoy's last three dome games: 47 carries, 391 yards (8.31 YPC), five all-purpose touchdowns, nine catches. ... DeSean Jackson, career (five games): 124.2 total-yard average with three touchdowns. ... Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux is out 3-5 weeks with a torn MCL, which is a very big blow to Atlanta's interior pass rush. The interior offensive line also happens to be the Eagles' most glaring offensive weakness, so Michael Vick is catching a pretty big break. In last Sunday's trouncing of the Rams, Vick improved his career TD-to-INT ratio in the month of September to 20:5, and his September yards-per-rushing attempt average to an indefensible 7.69. In Vick's return to Atlanta, he's going to shower the Falcons with fantasy points.

Steve Smith got five Week 1 snaps and isn't on the fantasy radar. ... Jason Avant is a pedestrian slot receiver. It's a big week when Avant tops 60 yards. ... Brent Celek was such a non-factor on Opening Day that our Eagles-Rams game charter didn't even deem him worth a post-game blurb. Celek saw three targets, catching one for 13 yards. ... I'd be concerned about Jeremy Maclin's strength and speed after an offseason on the couch nursing a mysterious illness. Can he get open? Vick apparently didn't think so in the opener, targeting Maclin three times with one completion. I'd be hesitant to consider Maclin a great buy low, though more glass half-full owners can fall back on his last game against Atlanta for a short-term confidence boost. Maclin busted up the Falcons for seven catches, 159 yards, and two touchdowns in Week 6 last year. He's still a high-risk WR3.

Score Prediction: Falcons 34, Eagles 27

Monday Night Football

St. Louis @ NY Giants

Sam Bradford has targeted Danny Amendola 120 times since Week 1 of last season -- easily a team high -- so the slot receiver's dislocated elbow creates a combustible powder keg for other Rams wideouts. While a committee approach involving Brandon Gibson, Mike Sims-Walker, Greg Salas, and Lance Kendricks may emerge, what we do know is Gibson and Sims-Walker are the outside receivers with Salas in Amendola's old slot position. It's a week to hold off on starting any of them. But observe closely. ... Sims-Walker can expect a snaps increase at the very least after playing 44-of-73 (60.3%) in the opener. Coaches have talked up MSW's versatility, and he's the Rams' best wideout bet in Week 2. Only start Sims-Walker if you're desperate. ... Kendricks saw 63 Week 1 snaps (86.3%), which is the positive news. The negative is that Kendricks dropped two balls, including a would-be six-yard touchdown. Games like that get rookie tight ends benched, and not just in fantasy.

Salas is worth grabbing in all leagues, particularly PPR, to at least see what happens. Amendola wasn't a difference maker, and Salas could make it a competitive situation if he plays well over the next few weeks. Salas was handpicked by Josh McDaniels; Amendola is a holdover. ... Steven Jackson (quad) is expected to miss this game, but is pushing the medical staff to let him play. With a Monday start, S-Jax's toughness makes Cadillac Williams not worth the risk as what will probably end up a one-week spot start in an unfavorable matchup. A Justin Tuck-less Giants front seven stuffed Redskins backs for 74 yards on 26 carries (2.85 YPC) in Week 1, and Tuck is back now. ... Bradford might have been an intriguing QB1 play against New York's battered pass defense had Kendricks not bombed the opener and Amendola gotten hurt. Instead, Chris Wesseling and Gregg Rosenthal had no choice but to rank Bradford 19th among Week 2 quarterbacks -- a low-end QB2.

Eli Manning has looked befuddled since former Giants slot receiver Steve Smith went out for the season late last year. Since Week 16 of 2010, Manning is 52-of-94 (55.3%) with a 3:6 TD-to-INT ratio. Include the 2011 preseason, and Eli's numbers plummet even further to 79-of-149 (53.0%) with three touchdowns and eight picks. This matchup looks good on paper, but I'd want to see Manning play well before using him. He hasn't done that in awhile, and Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo knows all about Eli's deficiencies after coordinating the Giants' defense in 2007-2008. ... The Rams lost LCB Ronald Bartell (neck) for the season in Week 1, and it was reported early this week that RCB Bradley Fletcher (toe) will "probably" miss Monday night's game. My bet is on Fletcher playing, but it's conceivable that he'd be in and out of the lineup if the ailment is turf toe. Hakeem Nicks (knee) is worth the wait as a game-time decision. Mario Manningham could go bonkers if Nicks sits out.

The Giants' Week 1 loss didn't provide an ideal snapshot because they played from behind for 2-of-4 quarters, but I charted Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs' usage anyway. Bradshaw got the start and 14 touches. Jacobs only had six carries, but was in for Manning's early two-yard touchdown run (goal-line offense). Bradshaw scored deep in the red zone late in the first half, immediately following a 14-yard Jacobs run to the Redskins' six. Bradshaw got more second-half work due to game flow, and the fact that Jacobs doesn't play on passing downs. The takeaway is that the backfield, from early appearances, is an early-down rotation and the Giants seem to view Bradshaw and Jacobs as interchangeable in short-yardage and red-zone situations. I wouldn't be surprised if the two finished close together in final fantasy back rankings, assuming good health. Bradshaw and Jacobs are still both worthwhile flex options against a Rams defense that couldn't stop the run in August, then gave up 236 yards (7.38 YPC) and a TD to Eagles runners last week.